Makeup to mud in 3 seconds flat

the cruise is over...

and I am soooo sad. It is very hard to spend a week with fabulous people and then just like that it is over! I LOVE scrapbookers, we had so much fun. a few glitches, like the wifi wouldn't work on my laptop, so I did not have the time to spend in the internet cafe. I blog at the wee hours. and I was tired at the end of each day.

so here's the rundown....

a few sunburns. brandy just Laura Lee "boots" and if you don't see why when she comes home, I do have the following blackmail photo. Buffy, please don't kill me... heck girl you are gorgeous!!!!

okay, really, this year was such an awesome time!!!!! we had top notch instructors, fun fun fun scrappers and wow! the creativity was flowing. we had so many chances to hang out, check out the ports and of course do a little scrapbooking.tee hee. 

here's a few recaps of the week...

okay, touch base later. tomorrow we want to go check out the everglades. must get sleep...

ariba!!!

hello fabulous bloggers! I am in heaven!!!!!  okay quick messages:

Lisa Hildebrand...your sisters are doing great!!!!!!! they miss you, wish you were here. Mom & dad I will try phoning tomorrow from the ship.

okay, quick recap. This has been the best cruise EVER! We have double the people, more old friends and now new friends and the party just keeps going. We gave out the most coolest goody bags, the classes have been hits, we have a HUGE room for crop nights where we play games, scrap and share the days stories. It is really really awesome.

I'll recap with pictures later, the WiFi is kicking me off my Mac so I can't upload pics, but I'll ask for help tomorrow from the tech. anyways...

today we went quadding with Jill, Laura Lee,Katharina & Jackie. SOOOOOO much fun! But I think that Katharina and I were troublemakers. we had our quads on 2 wheels and going over logs (almost rolled oops...) but it was great. I have cool pic. It was sooo hot. Some of our group are terribly burned.

Jim sang Elvis last night, he did really good. everyone was cheering for him. neat.

Okay. must go. we have an early excursion. hopefully see you tomorrow.

don't forget...

to watch Steven & Chris TODAY.. why???

because my fabulous boss Jackie Ludlage is on it and looking hot hot hot!!!! Come on out and support Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine!!!!

******edited, watching the show as I type. Jackie you are doing an awesome awesome job!!!!! You should be on there monthly!!!**********

And don't forget March is the new release of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine & Canadian Scrapbooker Basics. Vol.3...
 

have a fabulous day!!!!! oh and so I received some great ideas for ANOTHER PRIZE PACKAGE for the March convention. SOMEONE ASKED ME TO CREATE A "KIT" PRIZE. THIS WILL BE FULL OF FAMOUS TEACHERS DIFFERENT KITS THEY TAUGHT to provide a huge selection to help people create using different ideas.  what a great suggestion, thank you gorgeous!!!!! I am going to get to work on this ASAP!

hello

sorry for the lack of blogging this week. I just became overwhelmed with a few things. We leave next week for the fabulous Crop and Cruise that I am teaching on. So I had last minute packing to do, kits to keep kitting. I have finally received EVERYTHING for the trip! woohoo. now fingers crossed that all the U.S. parcels get to the hotel & ship. When you have as much product coming from lot's and lot's of sponsors it is quite a deal coordinating it all. but I think everything is going smoothly. Carribean here we come! My slight burn from Hawaii is progressing nicely into a good base tan. Sweet!

So yesterday was fun, fun, fun! I love Valentine's Day, but even better it was the reception for my brother, Shane & Andrea. WE had a blast at their wedding in Hawaii, so it was really special to see how many friends, family gathered here to celebrate with them. I was the m.c. and had fun, told a few corny jokes, made them play some fun games. IT was cool. Jager & Riley danced ALL night, baby girl didn't even sleep either. If there is music playing our kids don't sleep. It's like it runs through their veins. My best friend was there with her kids, and my cousins kids were their so they all ran around till 1:30am. YEP you heard me right. are we bad parents? i don't think so, there was no fighting just dancing and laughing. So we all slept in till 11:30am. not a peep in our house until then! I was last to crawl out at when mom and dad phoned t noon. it was absolute bliss.  Jager even has perfected the art of asking girls to dance. he got shot down a few times, but never gave up. Eventually they always said yes, and he would smile ear to ear. The event was held at the Western Development Museum, so that was cool. for about 90 minutes we got to walk around the museum and have fun. The kids LOVED it! A really great place to take kids. We went 4 times already this last year. Always a good time!

So today is that roast in the crock pot, laundry , clean up day....however for Jim it is THE day. The day that starts it all.

DAYTONA 500. Nascar race. The season begins. Now every Sunday till winter is going to be filled with races. (or should I say having beers with the boys, betting on their drivers and watching the race, talking about they would would probably be great drivers, or what they'd do differently) You know what's funny, the boys love this too. they will watch an entire race with him!!! 4 hours!!!! so you can say I am definitely getting a lot done!

So I also started packaging prizes and goody bags for our March 20/21 event. Instead of one big prize, right now we have a major stamping/ card making prize. (This is already filled with $$$$ of stamps from Magenta, Gelatins, My Stamp Box, Stampin Up, Daisy bucket, cardstock and more) Then the Paper Dream is filled with all the hot, fabulous patterned paper, cardstock and accessories to match. yummo! and I put the idea in that we should have a embellishment dream, so that one will be fun to gather for.
can't wait to draw for these ones. I had a thought too, maybe we should put together an "adhesive" prize. would that interest you guys? If it does leave me a comment. I laughed SOOOOO hard. I asked you guys this time to write on the forms what would you like to receive in the goody bags and what to eat for food. Well for the food, my mom received the absolute kindest comments ever, thanks! I passed those onto her. But for the goody bags 93% (I had to figure it out for kicks) of you listed the EXACT same items I gave out last time. Wow! That is a huge compliment, cause obviously we must have hit the mark with almost all of you for your likes. The other 7% listed some great new items that we are definitely going to try to get now! I love feedback. Especially when it is helpful! If you are still interested in signing up we do have a few spots still available. click here

Okay, enough skipping out on work. must go get things done today. But don't forget tomorrow is the holiday for "family day"!!!! This is very important. make time for those you love, play a board game, go for a walk. just share time. have fun!

one door closes another opens...

So I am now finished my term with Rose Moka and had a blast!!!!! They are such a fun company to work for, 6 months went by way too fast. I'm glad I still have the chance to continue having fun with their product as they are continuing to sponsor me in my adventures. But I would love to congratulate the new girls!!!! You will LOVE their product. So as one door closes, another opens...

I have been asked to do a 6 month term with My Stamp Box . I am really excited because as you know I have become really passionate about stamping since the fabulous Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine started creating the basic series. Well VOL.2 & 3 were a hoot to work on. Getting one on one instruction from Cathie Allan was a huge highlight in my life (plus the conversations of doing the prep work were just fun!!!) love our magazine team, great bunch of girls.  So I cannot wait to receive my deign package on Friday!!! The countdown begins. The best part is they have come aboard for the cruise & the Saskatchewan event. Woohoo!!!!!

so I can't spend anymore time on the computer today, I spent the day hookey with Jim. I had planned on kitting all day and answering the rest of the emails. I was almost done what I missed while in Hawaii but I have somehow accumulated the same amount and more. But, I have also had the best reading this week, some of you guys have sent me super funny stuff, and I can't believe how many awesome emails about what you guys are planning for the upcoming crop. I'M getting excited about some of the stuff!

so what did I do today? Jim called me asked me if I wanted to go for a ride today to kindersley with him, so I made a few calls, arranged babysitters and pick up for Riley from school. voila, it felt like we were on the road again. Discussed upcoming life, made plans, reminisced, it actually felt like a date, if I could say something as silly as that. But we sang to music, laughed, it was great. but it felt like skipping school since I am up to my ears in work. But I am going to log in a long night tonight and get er done!!!!

So, I'll see you tomorrow...if I get my work done. LOL!

crop news, NEW stuff, contests, classes

click here for crop sign up

So I've had a few emails and awesome chats about the crop coming up in March. How come we haven't talked about contests??? Well we weren't sure if they were what people looked for in the crop. But after much discussion, laughter, and beautiful comments made by you. We ARE going to have some contests...

So again, totally you guys in charge!!!!

CONTESTS for the crop!!!

•  Table decoration-SURPRISE us, whatever theme you would like!!!!! Again, all in good fun, we will let the crowd pick the winner again as it was a riot hearing the cheers and funny speeches. No it isn't mandatory to imitate a foreign accent! LOL! but MEl did do a fantatic job last year!
• Cards: well we blew them out of the water last year!!! Those Canadian soldiers are sure lucky! The support we saw by all you fabuous people was wonderful. So this time instead of Christmas cards let's make all occasion cards to donate to them. Don't put a sentiment in them, instead these will be cards that they will receive that THEY can send home to THEIR families. Cause like Corinne said, there isn't a Hallmark. (you will NOT reeive these cards back!)
• Layout Contest: Again it is a $1 per page entered, with ALL money going to a charity.  Enter as many pages as you like, and they will be judged by Jackie Ludlage exclusively -editor of Canadian Scrapbooker MAgazine. The winner will be published. Good Luck! But there are rules this time. The PAGE you enter CANNOT be previously shown on any website, blog or any other media where it could have already been seen. It also MUST be in your possession , NOT one that you've submitted to another magazine for publication. Tip for increasing your chances...

                (these are only hints, ask yourself these questions)

1. does your page tell a story? using informative, interesting journaling?
2. are the pictures clear, expressive?
3. are the photos the main focus of the page?
4. do you have a great title? does it capture what your photos are saying?
5. does the page have an overall attractive appearance?

****with that being said, you don't have to have the latest and greatest product, orshow a million techniques to be a winner. sometimes the simplest of pages stand out the most.  So make a colour copy of the layout, write your name, address, email, phone number on the back and if you did any specific technique write how you did it. Remember if you did not take the photos, if you are selected for publication YOU WILL hae tohave the photographer sign a consent form. Same with if you use children/ people that aren't in your family, you will have to  get their written permission.

• name tag contest: this one will be fun. Create a very Caribbean,(or tropical) tag, we want to see your "cruise" spirit.

This is a new contest!!!!!

• Charity album- Create an 8x8 (or as many as you would like to create): 

this contest is more a lift for our hearts. There are so many beautiful children out there that spend lots of time in the hospitals. sick, cancer, or many other problems.Children we know, friends, family.  let's make their day! Create an 8x8 page to be apart of an album. We are going to try to create as many pages as possible so that we can give some full books to those families in the Royal University Hospital that have been in there long term, the intention is for the families to put pictures in them so the kids aren't lonely, or for the kids to put their own pictures of their stay in the hospital in. however they choose to complete them. some may be given to parents whose children do not make it, something for them to remember. So try and keep the pages pretty generic, use as little themes as possible. make more just finished pages that they can just put photos on.

Keep in mind, ALL contest categories can be prepared BEFORE you come.

Okay so how about some of those classes, they are filling up but I want to show you some pics before March 1st, cause after that day the registration cost does increase. The early bird discount is gone. We have only 38 spots left for the event. Keep in mind that for every new attendee that signs up gets YOU $5 to spend at one of the local n site stores. A few of you have racked up some good spending money.

So I have a few pics to show:  (link here to see the class descriptions)

Jill Hildebrand (Colourblocking with Patterned Papers - $30)

a Canadian instructor thats out of this world for talent. I can't show you any of her class samples BECAUSE she just landed a crazy new American company that NONE of us have ever used before. she's going to take a crazy everyday household product and show you what you can do with it.... thought I would just give you a little teaser. sorry but you'll have to wait till she receives the product and can send me some pics or maybe a sneakie peak.  I will give you this to think about, if you struggle with how to put different papers together, this is the class for you. She really gives you great instruction!

Laura Lee Harms (wooden decorative designs- $40)

Keep in mind that if you plan on taking this class, we will cut off sign up on March 15th as she will be personally cutting up all the words. Some of you have come up with fabulous words for this class. I love that some are choosing to do their last/first names. I love how someone picked the word escape. What a great word, especially for a cabin or scrapbook room. There are no limits to the word you can choose, just remember for every letter over 4 letters is an additional $5/letter.

(also, if you aren't taking the class and just want to order more frames or custom stuff like she made last time then please fire me an email marked wooden decorative designs in the subject so I can send all the requests to her.)

Allison Orthner: Lights, Camera, Action- $30

SASKATOON you are lucky people!!! this photographer has made 12 front covers of magazines  & books all over North America, written dozens of articles for an assortment of magazines, the hostess of Canada's ONLY Crop and Cruise. She has her own TV Scrapbook/photography show in Calgary with City TV News. She is still a hands on photographer that believes EVERYONE can take a fabulous photo, it's just a matter of understanding your camera and how to get those shots.  Her class is VERY HANDS ON and she speaks in very easy to understand, no "photographer lingo, unless requested. You will need YOUR camera (she recommends bringing your manual). She will take you on walkabouts taking photos, you will receive an informative lesson on taking pictures, she is there to answer any questions you may have about taking photos. And she is providing this at an exclusive deal of $30. Can you believe it? At CHA she was even granted an exclusive media spot to take pictures of Paris Hilton. And she will be at our event to help you make your family the star!!!! Keep in mind, the class sizes are limited as she wants to work very personally with everyone, so sign up quickly to reserve your spot! If yo are looking for that ultimate photography class from an amazing woman this is the class for you.  (here's a couple shot of the famous Paris Hilton)

(Allison was just as curious as the rest of us to see what Paris created for her new scrapbook line)
 

Leica Forrest- (Create your own Patterned Paper using stamps & ink- $30)

For my class you won't be learning how to take pictures of Paris, LOL, but you will see more stamps then you have probably ever seen in one room!!!! you will get to use stamps from Stampin Up, Gelatins, Daisy Bucket, Magenta & My Stamp Box. All ink & applicators are supplied by Colorbox Ink. And this class is also sponsored by Scor-It board, and US Artquest (supplying mica pigment colours to play with)  This class is not your typical stamp class, it is more technique oriented. Learning how to make more depth with your stamps without using the typical embossing method. Instead enhance with other detailing. Everyone will get to choose which stamps they want to use, which ink colours, how little or how much they want to do.
Here's a few examples; Create a very textured bright and colourful one like this with lot's of different techniques used.

or maybe try one of these examples using the same brown toned colour palette but in different intensities and hues. The first one has lot's of detailing and stamping... This first one shown has lot's of little detailing done with the Scor-It board. Isn't it cool? And there is definitely NO limits to what you can do!!!!

but this one, is far more subtle and simple.

so this class can definitely accomodate your taste.  If you want to see more, you will have to check out VOL.3 of Canadian Scrapbooker Basic Series for examples!

Heather Hildebrand- A Little Bling with Heather $30

I hope you guys had the chance to meet her in October. She was doing a fabulous make n take that really was fun and beautiful. That is the way I describe Heather's work. Very beautiful. Here's the class example you will be making, a 2 page layout that experiments with glitter, stickles, pigment powder, glue pads.definitely a beautiful "bling" class.

 Heather Starosielski- Card Class-Texture & Stamping - $25
 5 cards for all occasions

I don't have any teasers for Heather's project yet, I'm excited to see what they come up with for cards. She is coming down with those fabulous Stampin Up girls that were here last year. They had so much fun they asked to come again! Heather (Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine's Art Director) is very knowledgeable and is going to have fun showing you ways to use the Big Shot and Sizzix Dies and the new texture plates by Stampin Up! Plus you leave with 5 cards. sweet!

keep checking back all this week, I have awesome news about a new design team I'm on and where I'm going to be the designer spotlight in the states, more wedding photos of Shane & Andrea, also of our neato deep sea fishing.

and guess what, I am almost done kitting all 125 kits for all my classes and my other 2 optional classes on the cruise! And I am so excited that the class I am teaching in Florida at a cool store DOESN'T need kitting! woohoo! Sometimes kitting doesn't stop, but I see the end. LOL!

so much fun tonight!!!!& wedding photos...

okay, so I hummed and hawed about going scrapbooking tonight and only for one reason, I just got back from Hawaii and really there is a million things I need to do before I leave for the cruise in 11 days. But I said to myself that if I got my laundry done, then I would go. well I worked my butt off, got it done, all but one suitcase unpacked, put away and got all our clothes and stuff packed for the cruise. So I kinda was ahead of the game. I really want to get this trip scrapbooked immediately for a couple of reasons. i want to have pictures to share in case relatives at the wedding reception want to see, I want to give Steven's girlfriend hers show she can show her family and three, if I don't do it now, I'll forget things and realistically not get it done for awhile. So i went and spent my day hanging out with absolutely enchanting women in Montgomery. Karen you put on a great event, great food, great company.  I Love attending events, I'm sad that I missed the ABBA crop, that would've been a slice! I was even more sad when I saw the fabulous Valentine's charm bracelet. I missed a yummo party that Sassy & Saucy put on. Easter...

Today I cut up all the pictures, as I had made many mini prints, seperated them into which album they would go into as I am making 7 albums, 4  7x9 for the kids & Casey, and 3 12x12 for mom, Shane & Andrea, and us. I seperated the pattern papers, embellishments, wrote journaling, took notes. I left with more accomplished than I thought I would've. I've almost completed Ireland's. most likely tonight. SWEET!!!!

So here's a few pictures of the gorgeous couple. they are so awesome together, I have neer seen my brother as happy as he was that day. When her dad was walking her down the grass, Shane had the best smile on his face. My parents looked so proud, their baby was getting married. We are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy she is officially part of our family. Can you tell how excited I am???

Congrats guys! I can't wait to get the photographers CD's to play with.

 

this is my favourite that I took.

more Hawaii pics...

okay, a little housekeeping. Keep in mind that early bird rates only apply till March 1st for the Saskatchewan Scraps event. After that the rates do increase. We've been asked if you can sign up for a class even if you can't make the whole event. The answer is yes, if there is room. So far right now, we do have openings in all of the classes.

If you are interested in the event click here.

we spent one day at the North shore , Banzai pipeline for a bit. The waves were so intense! We let the kids stand only where the tide washes high. At one point the waves were so strong that Jager got swept down and started tumbling down the hill. so we had to back up even more!

wondering what on earth kind of pose this is??? well this is the "surfer" pose. they wait for the waves to come up, then they try to stay standing. the waves come up to their knees or higher. It is hilarious to watch.

here's a few pics from the Polynesian cultural centre. I love this place, it keeps getting better and better.

here are the Tahitian dancers.

 

 

 

little miss eating sand, again, and again

 

the couple before the wedding. we went deep sea fishing for 8hours. it was fun!!!! we had one get away, but we did get one Mahi Mahi, it was yummy!

Jim said he was posing for a new facebook picture, let me tell you they only got worse! he kept making sillier faces.

  

tomorrow, I will show some of my quick wedding shots. they had a fabulously fun photographer, so I will wait for his work, but I'll give you a few snippits.

until then...

more pics...

***** edited to answer blog comments******

For printing weird sizes, check out greenpixelprinting.com Here's more of her contact info:

Green Pixel Designs
3036 15th Ave E
Prince Albert, SK
S6V 7V8

She is a wonderful local Saskatchewan girl who has some serious talent! I loved scrapbooking beside her at Janet's one day. She is very knowlegable and prints any size you can think of!!!!

***as for sitting in the cockpit, they approached us, but you can't do it while flying anymore, only after the flight is over.

***tips for flyng with kids...hmmm, I should write a book. lol.

• if they are old enough to wear a backpack or pull a tote, let them. have them pack it full of their favourite toys, their favourite munchies, definitely a BLANKET!!!!! the airplanes are so cold for kids, we used ours every flight! if you have a mini pillow, wouldn't hurt for the longer flights. let them have their own water bottle, the kind you purchase with a lid and straw., that way when the stewardesses come around with drinks they can fill the kids bottles instead of giving them those glasses that will spill. trust me don't pack it, let them. because then you don't have to try and guess which toy is their favourite at the moment. pack ear phones cause every plane has individual tv's now, treehouse seems to always be channel 6 or 7. they will be mesmorized for awhile! If I think of anymore, I'll add to it.

so apparently this was the "neat" thing to watch at the zoo. turtles mating.

I love this picture of my brother.

so he talked his girlfriend Casey into going parasailing, heck I helped him. I LLOVE parasailing! So he decided to take her on the really high sail, 1000 feet. I only did 750 last time and I thought was pretty high! She was worried, but here he is smooth as silk reassuring her.

there they go.

I gave Steven my little pocket camera to take while they were in the air, this is one of the shots. cool hey?

We went out one night to Senor Frogs and it was a little cooler so I dressed bay girl in this poncho. LOVE it! My friend Kara had wrapped the blanket she made me in this ribbon and I thought it matched so well, so I put it on her.

at Senor Frogs they made all of us balloon hats... yep we loked SEXY!

Oh, did I forget to mentio we wore them all the way down Waikiki strip. Ok, Jim took his off, chicken!!!! But I did with the kids, it was fun, they loved it!
 Here is some of the street people, the boys loved tipping them.

here is the boys dancing on stage at Senor Frogs.  Jager really had the crowd going. He's such a natural dancer and just let's his body groove.

ok, see you later with more...

we are back!

and so so tired!!!!

I tell you these 2 weeks have flown by. But they were wonderful! I forgot how much I loved Hawaii, it really is a fun place to go to. I definitely am happy that we took the kids. It was excruciating at times as they are young kids that don't always have the patience to wait, or sit still, so the airports & the plane rides were a little tough but we survived.

So life resumes tomorrow as usual, I have emails coming out of my wazoo to answer, school for Riley, and kitting like crazy for the crop and cruise that we leave for in 15 days. wow, I betcha I might have to be reminded to breathe the next few days. So I thought I would share with you some of my favourite moments/photos from this trip. and maybe give a little description of what we saw, where we went, and tips on what I recommend if you are considering going.

So...

the boys were invited to come up and see the cockpit. they loved it of course! took lot's of photos with the captain, them sitting behind the "wheel", etc.
 

just a random view on the east side of Oahu.

friendly seal that loved to pose for pics at the Sealife park

my brother Steven and his girlfriend Casey at Hanauma Bay. We had so much fun snorkeling there. got a little cut up on the coral, but saw lot's of fish and eels.

baby girl has decided now she likes the camera! and boy let me tell you, when she started to crawl at 6 months, we laughed, were so proud. but she was super fast in Hawaii, getting into EVERYTHING!!!!!! I would've killed to have her learn now that we were home. hope she is a late walker... who am I kidding. she is already freestanding on her own. yikes, I'm going to be a busy girl soon.

see mom, i am soooo cute!

I LOVE the giraffes, so I had to take a zillion pics of course!

baby girl found her way to the water. she didn't care that we didn't even have her bathing suit on yet. but hey, it is so ironic that this is one of the only pics where she is not eating sand.

okay, almost 3am, I'll show more tomorrow.